September Bird Count

This morning, I took part in the September bird count at South Platte Park.  My group was assigned to the southern section of the South Platte River and to adjacent ponds and lakes.

While we encountered only 23 species over two hours, we did see a large number of snowy egrets and double-crested cormorants; other sightings of note included six wild turkeys, more than a dozen common mergansers, wood ducks and a lone sharp-shinned hawk.

As is often the case, once we left our assigned area, we saw several more species: American white pelicans, an osprey and a kestrel, among others.  Veteran birders know that we often encounter more species in our own backyard than we do on an official count; after all, birds are highly mobile and pay little attention to human boundaries and designated preserves (as well intentioned as those refuges may be).

Hike to Panorama Point

Corwina Park is accessed from a parking lot along Bear Creek, just east of Kittredge, Colorado.  A 3.5 mile roundtrip hike takes visitors from this lot to Panorama Point, which commands a broad view of the Upper Bear Creek Valley.

The first portion of the hike climbs gradually southward along a small side creek, passing through ponderosa parklands, small groves of aspen and fingers of the Douglas fir forest; Colorado blue spruce also rise along the creek.  Within a mile, this entry trail intersects both the Panorama Point Trail and the Bear Creek Trail; the former begins a steep climb onto the east wall of this side valley, using short stairways and a series of switchbacks.

Once at Panorama Point, hikers are rewarded with a spectacular view of the Upper Bear Creek Valley, centered on the Mt. Evans massif where the creek heads.  Kittredge stretches across the valley in the foreground and the outskirts of Evergreen, farther west, poke above and intervening ridge.  The rocky overlook is a great spot for a picnic lunch and, if you do break out the treats, you can count on Steller's jays and Colorado chipmunks to turn up for handouts. 

Flashback Post XXIV

Since the American football season begins this week, I thought it might be a good time to exhume my blog post from December, 2012.

See:  Modern Gladiators

Medical Messaging

One of the complicating factors during the COVID pandemic has been mixed messaging from the CDC, FDA and "experts" across the country.  The experts, which hail from universities, research centers and pharmaceutical companies, are given a broad audience by national cable services that are always looking for controversy and drama.

In my opinion, the medical community should coalesce their messaging, uniformly standing behind science-based data that would be released monthly by the CDC Director.  This data should include case numbers, vaccination rates and specific recommendations regarding protective behavior (vaccination, masking, social distancing, etc.) and therapeutic options.

Mixed messaging may be welcome fodder for the news services but it is also a potent excuse for those who refuse vaccination and/or do not adhere to other protective measures.  The current mix of personal opinions, predictions, theories and recommendations is counterproductive and dangerous. 

Past and Present II

As we progress through our lives, most of us have some regrets.  These may be related to relationships, career choices or other factors that determine the course of our life.

Dwelling on such regrets, we tend to overlook the context in which our decisions were made and, too often, wish that we could somehow change what we did or did not do.  It is easy to assume that our lives would have been more enjoyable or more rewarding if we had taken a different path.

But, of course, changing the past would undo the present and, for most of us, that would be unacceptable.  It is the nature of humans to judge ourselves and we often must learn to be happy; taking credit for what we have achieved and who we have become is the ultimate cure for futile (though unavoidable) regret. 

The Lunatic Fringe is Widening

American democracy, public health, human rights and the welfare of our planet are all under assault, led by a growing number of Republicans.  Cowed by threats from Trump and his legions, Republican politicians and their media enablers push conspiracy theories, block efforts to address climate change, enact laws that limit voting rights and personal choice, disrupt effective management of the pandemic and stymie the important function of Congress.

Despite an increasing number of hospitalizations and deaths from COVID, vaccination rates remain far too low (especially in Red States) and mask mandates are challenged.  Despite the costly devastation and human misery wrought by wildfires, hurricanes, flooding and severe winter storms, the majority of Republicans still deny climate change and do not support adequate spending on infrastructure to deal with its effects (not to mention the cultural changes required to reverse its progression).

Saddled with this large and growing populace of scientifically-uneducated and conspiracy-minded individuals, effective government is nearly impossible.  When individuals are willing to put the health and future of their children at risk, there is little room for reason or compromise.

Back to Staunton State Park

After a seven-year hiatus, my wife and I returned to one of Colorado's most beautiful State Parks this morning.  Staunton State Park stretches beneath a wall of scenic rock formations along the southeast edge of the Mt. Evans massif; it is accessed via Elk Creek Road from U.S.285.

A fine network of trails lead hikers and mountain bikers through open parklands of ponderosa pine, stands of aspen and dense pockets of Douglas fir.  Views extend to domes of granite that rise along the north edge of the Park and to the high spine of the Platte River Mountains along the southern horizon.  Visitors are almost certain to see mule deer, elk (in winter), Abert's squirrels, golden-mantled ground squirrels and an excellent diversity of Transition Zone birds (Steller's jays, mountain chickadees, gray-headed juncos and pygmy nuthatches were most conspicuous this morning); black bears and mountain lions also inhabit the Park but are seldom encountered.

Due to its beautiful setting, fine trails and proximity to Metro Denver, Staunton State Park can be crowded, especially on fair weather weekends.  I thus recommend a weekday visit and, as always, an early or late day visit will be most productive for wildlife viewing.  A nominal day-use fee is charged (currently $10 per vehicle).

A Stroll at Hudson Gardens

On this cloudy, relatively cool afternoon in Littleton, my wife and I took a walk at Hudson Gardens in the South Platte River Valley.  Once a private botanical gardens and long a venue for outdoor concerts and holiday events, the Gardens are now owned and managed by the South Suburban Recreation District; admission is free from sunrise to sunset.

Unlike some botanical gardens, which have an artificial feel, this attractive preserve is a mosaic of plantings, natural vegetation, creeks, ponds and wetlands; of course, educational exhibits are also utilized to promote conservation and habitat protection.  Since we visited in the afternoon, we encountered few birds but did see a bull snake and a muskrat.

Most of all, we enjoyed a pleasant stroll on uncrowded trails, enveloped in soothing, early autumn air.  I'm sure we'll return frequently in the coming months, especially since the Gardens are directly accessible from the riverside Greenway Trail, a path we often hike along.  

Ida Stretches Out

After causing devastation in Louisiana, the remnants of Hurricane Ida will inject copious moisture across the Tennessee River Valley and as far to the northeast as Southern New England.  Augmented by a cold front that is dipping across the region, the heavy rains are expected to produce widespread flooding, especially in areas where the soil is already water-logged.

While hurricanes are best known (and most feared) for their high winds and storm surge, inland flooding is often their most deadly consequence, especially in areas where hilly or mountainous terrain concentrates the run-off.  Ida's tropical moisture may thus prove to be most problematic in the Southern Appalachians.

Of course, our warming climate is, once again, playing a role in this scenario.  The warming seas fuel the tropical storm or hurricane and the warmer air carries more moisture to distant landscapes.  Meanwhile, out west, the forests bake and wildfires rage.  

Wild Turkeys at South Platte Park

Thanks to reintroduction programs and habitat restoration/protection, wild turkeys are fairly common throughout most of Colorado.  The Merriam species inhabits foothills and lower mountain meadows while the non-native Rio Grande species was introduced in riparian areas of the Eastern Plains.  Nevertheless, until this morning, I had never encountered wild turkeys in South Platte Park.

A week ago, while I was out of town, a birding friend of mine was the first to discover the flock, a female and six juveniles.  On our visit this morning, my wife and I found them in a woodland along one of the ponds (Bufflehead Lake to be specific).  Foraging in the shadows, the turkeys were oblivious of our presence though they were less than twenty feet from the trail.

Since the Park is relatively close to the Front Range foothills and to high terrain in Douglas County, I assume the visitors wandered down along one of the many tributaries that feed the South Platte River.  Regardless of their route, it was a pleasure to see them this morning; for us birders, even common species are of interest when they turn up at unexpected locations.  My thanks to Bob (and Sharon, of course) for the heads up. 

Exodus from the Gulf

Once again, a powerful tropical storm (soon to be Hurricane Ida) is approaching the northern Gulf Coast and residents are fleeing to higher ground.  One feels for these people, especially those who were born and raised in the coastal lowlands and now have jobs dependent upon that environment.

But the climate is changing and both the frequency and intensity of these destructive storms is likely to increase over the coming decades.  To continually rebuild on land that is at or below sea level takes both an emotional and a financial toll.  Indeed, one wonders when insurance companies will deny coverage in these high risk zones and when the Federal Government will follow.

We humans have created this crisis and now must live with the consequences.  As the sea level continues to rise, coastal lowlands and barrier islands will become uninhabitable.  Perhaps it is time to begin a permanent exodus from the Gulf and let nature take back her beautiful but ever-changing beaches and wetlands.

Waiting on Autumn

After a long, hot summer, many of us are looking forward to autumn, especially those (myself included) who have never been avid fans of the summer season.  No doubt, those in the wildfire zones are especially anxious for the autumn snowstorms to develop.

Here along the Colorado Front Range, it has been a hot summer but we have received more than our average supply of rain.  Our Littleton farm, usually parched by mid July, is still relatively green; since the monsoon rains often persist into September and upslope snowstorms arrive by October, we cannot complain.  In addition, the lengthening darkness is already taking a toll on our overnight lows and the morning chill hints of the seasonal change to come.

On the other hand, those who reside in the soggy Southeast still face the peak of the Atlantic Hurricane Season.  Indeed, Tropical Storm Ida, forecast to become a major hurricane before it strikes the Northern Gulf Coast, will exacerbate flooding throughout that region.  In their case, winter cannot arrive soon enough. 

Kudos to Private Mandates

While certain governors and local officials disrupt effective control of the COVID pandemic with their politically-motivated, anti-science rhetoric and policies, many private companies have taken a responsible stance, mandating vaccination for their employees.

In this "land of the free," some may object to such mandates, arguing that personal freedom is more important than public health.  In essence, they are implying that individuals have the right to spread a potentially deadly infection to fellow employees and patrons.

By contrast, those who manage private companies understand that workplace safety is vital to the success of their business.  Employees and customers are more comfortable in that setting, employee illness is far less likely to disrupt services and, most importantly, needless hospitalization and death are avoided.  Of course, those who decline the vaccine are free to resign, a personal freedom that does not pose a risk to other members of society.

Joshua Trees

Returning to Colorado, we drove east on Interstate 15 across Southern California and Southern Nevada.  Just short of the California-Nevada border, the highway climbed across a ridge and, near an elevation of 4000 feet, Joshua trees appeared in abundance.

Also known as the yucca palm, the Joshua Tree is native to the Mojave Desert of the Desert Southwest.  It is relatively fast growing and may reach 50 feet in height; flowering occurs in late winter or early spring (if weather conditions permit) and these hardy plants disperse by seed or suckering.  The yucca moth is the primary pollinator.

For some of us, the term Joshua Tree will always be associated with U2's best album (in my humble opinion), but, for most, it will bring to mind the distinctive, top-heavy denizen of the otherwise bleak Mojave landscape. 

The Mystery Wall

As we drove westward along Interstate 40 last week, I could not help but notice a prominent wall of red sandstone that loomed north of the highway between Prewitt and Church Rock, New Mexico.  Naturally, I was anxious to learn about this attractive geologic and geographic feature.

After a bit of research, I discovered that the wall is composed of Jurassic Entrada Sandstone, the same rock that forms the arches in Arches National Park.  Perhaps of more interest, this wall (which appeared to be at least 100 feet high) represents the southern margin of the Colorado Plateau. The latter, a province of colorful mesas, canyons and rock formations, stretches across the Four Corners Region of the United States.

While many tourists are satisfied with observing the beauty of such natural structures, we naturalists want to understand both their composition and their formation.  When they are located outside Parks or Monuments (where such information is usually offered), we are encouraged to do our own research; of course, that effort usually leads to other new knowledge as well.

Leaving North America

As we drove across Southern California yesterday, my focus was on the traffic and the scenery.  I knew but did not consider the fact that we were leaving North America.

Of course, we did not depart the Continent but we did leave the North American Plate.  As we descended through Cajon Pass on Interstate 15, we crossed the San Andreas Fault and changed tectonic plates.  Indeed, Greater Los Angeles and San Diego are on the Pacific Plate, destined to break away from the North American Continent in the future.

During our brief human lives, we witness hints of tectonic activity, usually in the form of earthquakes and volcanism.  But, except for those who live in southern and central California, it is not everyday (if ever) that we Americans leave our home plate. 

Westward from Flagstaff

Leading westward from Flagstaff, Arizona, Interstate 40 passes through a scenic landscape of meadows and ponderosa pine forests.  Beyond Williams, the highway leaves this lofty terrain and descends into a broad swath of open parklands and low ridges; covered by juniper shrubs; this attractive ecosystem generally ranges in elevation from 3000 to 4000 feet.

Nearing Kingman, the highway drops further into the bleak landscape of the Mojave Desert, bordered by high but treeless ranges.  Three hours later, during which we crossed the Colorado River south of Needles, California, we finally escaped the Mojave west of Barstow; we then followed Interstate 15 westward to Cajon Pass and descended into the Los Angeles basin.

One cannot fully appreciate the dimensions and severity of a desert without driving across it; even today, with our modern, air-conditioned vehicles, it is a tiring experience.  We can only begin to imagine the challenges endured by those who used horses and wagons to make the journey. 

An Island of Greenery

Heading to California for my son's wedding, we left Denver early yesterday morning, driving south on Interstate 25.  Once we crossed Raton Pass, on the Colorado-New Mexico border, trees and other greenery was limited to the stream and river channels.

The landscape was especially dry after we passed Santa Fe and descended to Albuquerque.  There we switched to Interstate 40 and headed west, undulating through scrub grasslands broken by rock outcrops and low mesas; only the bulk of the Mt. Taylor massif, north of Grants, towered above the arid terrain.  Crossing into Arizona, streams were limited to shallow washes and the Little Colorado River, which cut a deep channel through the high desert landscape.  Then, fifty miles from Flagstaff, a cluster of mountains appeared on the western horizon, our first glimpse of the volcanic San Francisco peaks.

Within a few miles of the city, piñon pine woodlands spread along the highway and, once in Flagstaff (elevation 6909 feet), taller ponderosa pines adorned the meadows and suburbs.  Indeed, sitting along the southern edge of the highlands, the city is a welcome island of greenery in the Desert Southwest; we stopped to enjoy a meal, walk through the historic district in a cool, light mist and spend the night.

Flashback Post XXIII

Haiti's major earthquake this week is the second to occur within the past 11 years.  The tectonic cause for these quakes was discussed in a post that was published in January, 2010.

See: Haiti's Earthquake 

Sign of the Times

A thousand years from now, if humans still exist, urban archeologists will find a unique type of litter amidst the plastic bottles, aluminum cans and cigarette butts that lie in the excavation layer of the early 2020s: facial masks.

Indeed, discarded masks now litter campuses, parking lots, back alleys and even nature trails.  Reflecting both the pandemic and the careless behavior of humans, the masks were just another disposable item, worn to prevent disease or, in many cases, simply to comply with local mandates.

Like other forms of litter, from styrofoam cups to old armchairs, the masks had outlived their utility and were thus flung from car windows or simply dropped along the walkway.  Such disrespect for the environment is strictly a human trait, one that is valued only by urban archeologists. 

Thinking about the Past

As we get older, we humans tend to think more about the past.  After all, the future keeps getting shorter and planning for it takes little time and effort.

While it is always good to learn from the past, dwelling on it can be counterproductive and is often the source of needless regret.  Some memories may seem vivid and accurate but the context in which past choices were made is often foggy at best.

Nevertheless, we continue to ponder the past, reliving joyful and painful events.  Unable to shake the habit, it is best to give ourself a break.  If we insist on accepting responsibility for our mistakes we must also take credit for our success; by acknowledging the complexity of life (including relationships) we learn to moderate this self criticism.  We are, after all, only human. 

Humans & Misinformation

As Covid 19 ravages the globe, there is (justifiably) a great deal of discussion about sources of misinformation that discourage vaccination.  Most of these lies and conspiracy theories spread via the internet though some "legitimate" news organizations (e.g. Fox News) participate as well.

While this focus on Covid and vaccine misinformation is important, we humans have long been subjected to falsehoods from a wide variety of trusted sources: religious leaders, politicians and industrialists come immediately to mind.  What do all of these misinformation peddlers have in common?  They are all threatened by scientific knowledge which challenges their livelihood or business; they want us to believe in creationism, reject data on climate change, ignore warnings on cigarette packages or accept conspiracy theories that support their political goals.

The fight to abolish misinformation is difficult, especially during the Age of the Internet.  Big Money is behind much of the false data that arises from Industry and political campaigns while ingrained fear and guilt ensure the continued influence of religious organizations.  In the end, science-based education is the only effective tool and even that weapon is regularly challenged by the Captains of Misinformation.